Progress 09/01/20 to 07/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Broadly speaking, all growers utilizing significant deficit irrigation methods to reduce crop losses due to climate change are potential users as initial field data reported suggests that the VPD, DR and PWSI metrics generated by analysis of the LeafMon-S measured parameters are potentially more indicative of plant performance than the traditional methods evaluated. A highly targeted audience for the LeafMon-S product are growers with existing SDI-12 PLC data logger installations. In these installations, the LeafMon-S would serve as either the primary monitoring element and/or as a secondary addon element to the grower's deployed system. Changes/Problems:The CWSI (Crop water Stress Index) metric, employed by the LeafMon (non-SDI-12) unit to monitor plant water stress, relies on sophisticated mathematical regression techniques to determine the fully saturated baseline constants required to calculate CWSI. The necessary regression algorithms currently reside on Cermetek's AquaMonRSVP web server. Unfortunately, the available software libraries for the LeafMon uP upon which the LeafMon-S is based does not contain the required mathematical functions. Additionally, the CWSI metric proved to be too memory intensive for the LeafMon-S model. It was also determined that the internal uP clock function lacked the accuracy/timing stability needed to track the required parametric measurements. And lastly, ongoing analysis of field data and input from our collaborators suggested that an additional refinement to the CWSI metric more closely aligning it with the plant's environment was thought to be more representative of the plant's water stress status. For these reasons: The PWSI (Plant Water Stress Index) metric was created to replace the CWSI (Crop Water Stress Index) metric. PWSI calculations were performed on the grower's Windows© platform rather than on the LeafMon-S unit. The Windows© platform based LeafMon Analysis 1.0 application and the EXCEL© based macro LeafMon_EXCEL_1.0 were created to facility Grower analysis of the LeafMon-S measured parameters. Wider ranging impact discovery via field data and feedback from those collaborators investigating water stress irrigation techniques (≤70% ET) with no crop yield reduction, suggested that a plant performance metric representing plant photosynthesis behavior would be more indicative of the plant's behavior than a water stress metric. A number of empirical algorithms utilizing DR (Dynamic ratio) and DT (Differential Temperature) were conceived and investigated (see Figure 4) in an effort to formulate a photosynthesis metric. These methodologies showed promise, but more field investigative/data corroboration is required to determine a viable photosynthesis metric. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Dr Andre Daccache, Assistant Professor, Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, UC Davis has provided access to almond groves thereby providing an opportunity for field installation of LeafMon-S data collection sites in his research activities. Later he has become an active collaborator for LeafMon-S data collection and analysis. Dr. Daccache is now using the LeafMon-S system as a teaching aid in his graduate class (EBS241: Precision Irrigation Management) at the UC Davis Campus, Davis, CA. Specifically, Dr Daccache's EBS241 class has 15 graduate students installing the LeafMon-S units on young walnut orchards. They collect and analyze the LeafMon-S measured parameters as a component of their weekly course assignments. Further, Dr. Daccache demonstrated Cermetek's LeafMon-S unit as well as other commonly used industry data collection systems to approximately 30 invited FMD guests from local farming and support communities at the Kearney Field Day seminar on 23 August 2021. This event was held at the UC Davis Parlier facility. Mr. Mohammad Emami, UC Davis Visiting Research Scholar and PhD candidate, has received LeafMon-S installation and Data Logger interface training (Campbell Scientific Model CR300 and CR800). Mr. Emami served as a LeafMon-S data collection and analysis coordinator for our collaboration with the Button and Turkovich farm in Winters, CA where we monitored walnut trees during the entire growing season. Analysis was shared and tree performances based on actual irrigation practices employed were shared with growers and collaborators on a regular basis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?LeafMon data measurements were collected, and results of calculated metrics shared with the following collaborators, with modifications and enhancements made to the LeafMon-S system incorporating collaborator feedback: Mr. James Nichols, Nichols Farms, Hanford, CA. Mr. Tony Turkovich, Button and Turkovich Farms, Winters, CA Mr. Joseph Gallegos, Umida AG, Fresno, CA, a climate smart irrigation integrator. Four field locations in Phase 1 (listed below), Twenty-Five locations in Phase 2: Center for Irrigation Technology, California State University Fresno (Fresno State). Department of Engineering, University of California Riverside (UCR). Donny Hicks Farm, Turlock, CA. Ramon Vargas Agriculture, Terra Bella, CA. Dr Andres Daccache, Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, UC Davis on a project at the Kearney Research Facility in Parlier, CA. Umida AG was awarded an NSF SBIR Phase I Grant (# 2051966) on 05/01/2021 to develop a moisture plume simulator to assist growers with evaluation of the potential benefits of the Umida AG's Aquifer Pipe product for their specific soil type(s). Key research groups assisting Umida AG are California State University Fresno (Fresno State), Center for Irrigation Technology and University of California Riverside (UCR), Department of Engineering. LeafMon-S units, coupled with GroPoint Data Loggers, are among several industry systems being evaluated by Umida AG for potential deployment in field data collection and crop monitoring applications in support of commercially deployed Umida AG deep Subsurface Capillary Irrigation Systems. Umida AG has signed a tentative agreement to deploy Phase 2 Beta versions across 25 demonstration farms in California and Arizona. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1. Reduced Grower cost of ownership of the basic LeafMon-S Monitor System to $250 (USD) retail purchase price. An additional annual subscription fee of $59 (USD) is required if the Grower chooses to utilize Cermetek's AquaMonRSVP website to analyze, display and archive the LeafMon-S measured data and associated calculated metrics. 2. Successfully modified the existing LeafMon-S hardware and software to be compliant to the industry standard SDI-12 Serial Digital Interface Version 1.3. 1. SDI-12 Version 1.3 compliance verified by third party verification service provider. 2. LeafMon unit successfully connected and provided data with the following third-party Data Loggers: a. GroPoint Model GP-BTDL. b. Campbell Scientific Model CR300. c. Campbell Scientific Model CR800. d. Campbell Scientific Model 1000X. e. EzeSystem Model ezeio. 3. Improved accuracy of Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) metric by replacing/upgrading hardware and software and by replacing the CWSI metric with the improved Plant Water Stress Index (PWSI) metric. 1. Redesigned electrical circuits to include second IR Sensor and SDI-12 Interface electronics. 2. Removed wind sensor electronics and replaced obsolete components. 3. Replaced RS485 interface with SDI-12 interface electronics. 4. Modified the embedded LeafMon unit code to incorporate second IR sensor and SDI-12 version 1.3 protocol. 5. Improve Accuracy of Crop Monitoring CWSI Metric. Upon detailed review, analysis and comparison of the Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) metric vs field plant performance provided by user field installations, and coupled with user feedback, it was determined that a new metric, Plant Water Status Index (PWSI) - which is closely related to the more commonly used CWSI metric - can be derived from the data provided by the LeafMon-S monitor. The PWSI metric is the result of LeafMon-S data analysis and user collaboration. It is based on the underlying principles of the CWSI metric, and takes into account the following plant measurements, ambient environmental conditions and additional intermediate metrics: VPD. Vapor Pressure Deficit. A metric that is indicative of atmospheric influence on the plant's transpiration. DT. Differential Temperature. DT = (Dry Leaf Temperature) - (Live Leaf temperature.) DR. Dynamic Ratio. DR = DT/VPD. PAR. Photosynthetically Active Radiation. A metric that corresponds to the amount of light available for photosynthesis by the plant. PWSI. Plant Water Status Index. PWSI = (Average Daily DR)/(Saturated Average Daily DR or DRsat). Where: Average Daily DR. Average DR value over the plant daily activity time range of 8:00AM to 10:00PM (inclusive). This is the time during which the stomata may be open and photosynthesis may be occurring. Saturated Average Daily DR or DRsat. This value is the average DR over the plant activity time range of 8:00AM to 10:00PM (inclusive) for the case when the plant is fully saturated. This typically occurs subsequent to a watering event (about 24hrs) during which the plant is normally free from water stress, especially on those days when VPD levels are low. This information is readily observable when the DT vs time and VPD vs time plots between 8 AM to 10 PM are constructed. It should be noted that the LeafMon-S monitor provides an extensive and wide breadth of data, thus providing the extremely valuable information used to compute the intermediate metrics listed above as well as assisting with alternate crop water status analysis. User feedback indicated that PWSI can be a very useful metric if DR is "normalized" or somehow adjusted for the influence of the plant's response to a watering event, in much the same fashion as CWSI is adjusted using a saturation baseline. PWSI normalization has the effect of limiting the range of PWSI to 0.0-1.0 (inclusive). This approach is much more in line with the CWSI metric. Consequently, although the CWSI and PWSI metric computation procedures are slightly different, they are related to each other by the following relationship: CWSI = 1-PWSI or PWSI = 1-CWSI The plant water stress ranges as indicated by the PWSI metric for the case of almonds, pistachios and walnuts: ALMOND and PISTACHIOS WALNUTS PWSI Range Plant Water Stress PWSI Range Plant Water Stress 1.0-0.75 No to Low Stress 1.00-0.80 No to Low Stress 0.75-0.5 Moderate Stress 0.80-0.60 Moderate Stress <0.50 Severe Stress <0.60 Severe Stress In field studies performed to date, the PWSI appears to track the plant's behavior to water status consistently. See the plot below indicating an increase in PWSI. This is actual field data. 4. Improved the leaf holder of the monitor to simplify monitor installation procedures, minimize leaf damage and reduce cost of manufacturing. a. Reduced the number and complexity of molded components. b. Eliminated the separate top and bottom plates and attached electrical circuits directly to the mounting plate c. Modified leaf holder to open a minimum of ninety degrees for installation of the Dry and Live leaves. d. Combined the leaf dome with the wind blocker and added venting to leaf dome to reduce potential heat build-up e. Added holder for Dry Leaf IR temperature sensor. f. Changed the shape of the leaf monitor enclosure to reduce water entry into the leaf dome. g. Replaced the plastic/metal case covering the electronics in the original design with a conformal coating. 5. The LeafMon-S unit is a low cost, low power system providing the grower with continuous actionable plant water stress metrics. All sensor measurements are initiated by the Data Logger per the SDI-12 Version 1.3 protocol and subsequently recorded in the Data Logger's cache memory: 1. Ambient temperature. 2. IR1 Temperature of Live Leaf. 3. IR1 Internal Temperature of the IR Live Leaf Sensor. 4. IR2 Temperature of Dry Leaf. 5. IR2 Internal Temperature of the IR Dry Leaf Sensor. 6. Relative Humidity. 7. Full Spectrum PAR Light to digital ADC count CH0. 8. Temperature only IR Light to digital ADC count CH1. 9. ADC0 voltage. Reserved for Grower customization. Range 0-5 DC V. If not utilized, reported as 0 by the LeafMon-S unit. The sensors listed in bold above (1, 2, 4, 6, and 7) are critical for developing plant water status metrics. The remaining sensors are used to verify proper sensor performance and to monitor overall LeafMon-S sensor suite health. ADC0 is a standard 0-5V DC input available to the Grower for customization/personalization of the LeafMon-S sensor suite. 6. The following LeafMon System related documents were developed, modified and/or updated to reflect current installation directions, application procedures and usage practices for the LeafMon-S unit: 1. 650-5322 LeafMon-S Users Guide Rev D. This document discusses operation of the LeafMon-S, and provides the user with details concerning the various LeafMon-S measured parameters, the significance of the calculated metrics and suggestions for crop water management utilizing the LeafMon-S metrics. 2. 650-5324 LeafMon-S Design Guide Rev J. A detailed description of the implemented SDI-12 Version 1.3 commands, how to access the LeafMon-S measurements using said SDI-12 commands, a mapping of the LeafMon-S data stream and other associated tips and suggestions for effective use of the LeafMon-S unit. 3. 650-5326 LeafMon-S Windows Application Rev B. This is a tutorial for the installation and use of the LeafMon-S data analysis Windows Platform Application. 4. 650-5327 LeafMon-S EXCEL Macro Rev B. This is a tutorial for the installation and use of the LeafMon-S Microsoft EXCEL Macro for LeafMon-S data analysis.
Publications
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